Intentional Conversations

Intentional Conversations with Jenn Tardy

Welcome to Intentional Conversations, the podcast where thoughtful leadership meets meaningful impact. This week we’re honored to be joined by Jenn Tardy for a powerful discussion. 🎧 Grab your headphones, hit play, and let the conversation begin! ** Be sure to SUBSCRIBE [https://www.youtube.com/@NikaWhite2015] to our channel because we're all about keeping the great conversations flowing. ** KEY TAKEAWAYS JENN: * The money that goes into a persons pocket is the money that goes into their home and feeds their home and their community. * Money gives you access to people, places and things… whether you like it or not. * There is so much conditioning with being Black and marginalized, being a woman and being marginalized, even today, there are still places that she can feel discouraged and realizes its conditioning. * There are things you can have access to simply by the way you identify. It shapes how you view the world. * If we can own we have a unique lived intelligence and employers can recognize the lived experience, imagine the innovation that can now happen. * It’s not just your lived experience, it’s your lived experience intelligence. If you’re hiring someone people on how they identify, it’s as if you’re placing a period at the end of a sentence that needs a comma… this is not the “IT” factor, there is an intelligence from your lived experience. * Oppression brings a unique skill set to innovation. * If you’ve grown and been conditioned to constantly fight your way to success, then that intelligence is coming with you. * Gravity has always been there, someone just identified it and named it. All I’m doing, is saying, the intelligence has always been there, but if we can’t name it, we can’t add value to it. * Who’s nurturing you? * I don’t care that we change the name, I just care that the work continues. * When seasons change, it forces the pendulum to swing back to the other side. * If history was written by the victors, the future is here for the visionaries. We can create what we want to see in the future! 🟣 CONNECT WITH JENN: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifertardy [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifertardy] Website: https://www.jennifertardy.com [https://www.jennifertardy.com] Jenn's Book: https://www.jennifertardy.com/the-equity-edge [https://www.jennifertardy.com/the-equity-edge] Lived Experience Intelligence: https://www.livedexperienceintelligence.com [https://www.livedexperienceintelligence.com] 🟣 CONNECT WITH NWC: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikawhite/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikawhite/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikacwhite?fref=ts [https://www.facebook.com/nikacwhite?fref=ts] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikacwhite/ [https://www.instagram.com/nikacwhite/] NWC Website: https://nikawhite.com [https://nikawhite.com] 🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤 Looking for a speaker for your next keynote, workshop, continuing education or panel, Dr. Nika White is actively booking for Q4 and Q1 2026 events now! CLICK HERE TO GET THE CONVERSATION STARTED: https://www.nikawhitespeaks.com/ [https://www.nikawhitespeaks.com/]

Intentional Conversations with Shayla Atkins

Welcome to Intentional Conversations! This week we were honored to be joined by Shayla Atkins for a powerful discussion on authenticity and what that really means, future-proofing for leaders, how to practically do that and why we all need more S.P.I.C.E. 🎧 Grab your headphones, hit play, and let the conversation begin! ** Be sure to SUBSCRIBE [https://www.youtube.com/@NikaWhite2015] to our channel because we're all about keeping the great conversations flowing. ** KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM SHAYLA: * The future-ready leader and work is NOW. It is what we’re living in today. * They’re changing the approach of soft skills to no longer soft, they’re necessary, but really elevating soft skills and a human centered approach. * There is a myth with authenticity, it’s not how real you can be, it’s about being in alignment with your values and how you show up. * Telling our brains that our natural selves are not enough and that makes a trauma response every time, that activates your fight / flight response. * We have to know how to lead self before leading others. * You'll get compliant teams, but not committed teams. * Understanding resilience, but it isn’t resistance, these 2 are conflated. It is taking the time to sit and plan, be strategic and proactive and the 1st thing is taking a Stress Inventory. * Stress inventory - what is activating stress? What is a high fatigue period? Is it cyclical in nature? Put proactive strategies in place, you can do it with yourself, your team, your organization. * We aren’t going to power through until the rubber band pops, we’re going to stretch, power down, cool down, recover. * On your teams, are you planning and anticipating change and disruption? * WHAT IS S.P.I.C.E.? It’s a ROAD Map and a guide to ascension that is aligned and strategic in nature. * S - Savvy (Black women are most educated women on the planet. We are not able to translate our biz education to biz outcomes.) * P - Performance * I - Image / Your authentic brand * C - Communication * E - Exposure * Data should drive and inform strategies and leadership, often it is missing, even the maturation of the data. We get qualitative data daily... when you blend the quantitative / qualitative - that is what gives you the human approach. * Level setting on perspective, we understand long term sustainability over short term gains. * "If you cannot be who you are, where you are, change where you are, not who you are." Carolyn Wanger - Former CEO of Essence 🟣 CONNECT WITH SHAYLA: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayla-n-atkins [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayla-n-atkins] Website: www.theatkinsimpact.com [https://www.theatkinsimpact.com] Book: Women Redefining Leadership With S.P.I.C.E. [https://www.amazon.com/Women-Redefining-Leadership-S-P-I-C-Vision/dp/B0F3N9YJYY/ref=sr_1_1?crid=VGFQDIKFYYP6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.krOWafjxWgJrSjwmMaUE0Q.TPecLTdpKYmYN6FIUyhL5oYBmwECC4d8frlWEdA7Vs4&dib_tag=se&keywords=Women+redefining+leadership+with+SPICE&qid=1757691966&s=books&sprefix=women+redefining+leadership+with+spice%2Cstripbooks%2C85&sr=1-1] Book: Black Women Lead With S.P.I.C.E.: Effective And Authentic Leadership Without Sacrificing Your Identity [https://www.amazon.com/Black-Women-Lead-S-P-I-C-Sacrificing-ebook/dp/B0BZZRVQWW?ref_=ast_author_dp] 🟣 CONNECT WITH NWC: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikawhite/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikawhite/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikacwhite?fref=ts [https://www.facebook.com/nikacwhite?fref=ts] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikacwhite/ [https://www.instagram.com/nikacwhite/] NWC Website: https://nikawhite.com [https://nikawhite.com] 🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤 Looking for a speaker for your next keynote, workshop, continuing education or panel, Dr. Nika White is actively booking for Q4 and Q1 2026 events now! CLICK HERE TO GET THE CONVERSATION STARTED: https://www.nikawhitespeaks.com/ [https://www.nikawhitespeaks.com/]

Intentional Conversations with Charlotte Otter

Welcome to Intentional Conversations — the podcast where thoughtful leadership meets meaningful impact. In this episode, we sit down with Charlotte Otter, author and reputation management expert, to explore what reputation truly means, why the world is calling for new leaders, and the essential qualities those leaders need today. 🎧 Tune in for a conversation that blends insight, challenge, and inspiration. ** Be sure to SUBSCRIBE [https://www.youtube.com/@NikaWhite2015] to our channel because we're all about keeping the great conversations flowing. ** KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM CHARLOTTE: * Storytelling reminds us how human we are. * It is so important in this AI age to privilege this human connection and emotion. * Vulnerability - stories show our human side and how vulnerable we are. * Leaders think they need to be seen as the most powerful person in the room, but it’s when they crack and show a little bit of vulnerability, they are so much more likely to create the fans they need to change their ogranizations. * If your words and your actions don’t match, that is a credibility gap. * No leader ever gets up and says everything is gonna stay the same, all communication is about change. * Leaders have gone through obstacles, obstacles teach empathy and that makes them amazing leaders. * Trust is reputation’s closet sibling - so it’s very important! * Important for people to say their values out loud, tell the stories that match their values * The best way to counteract bias is a stellar record of success. * By living your reputation out loud as a leader, your creating a bridge for the next generation to cross. * Leaders who are single loop learners, leaders who are double loop learners, fix the problem, but they ask what was it in my behavior that caused this problem and what can I do in my future to not do it again! The single loop leader never wants the feedback. But the double loop leader wants to know more. * If you’re leading change, spend a LOT less tie talking and a lot more time listening. * The hierarchy breaks when you have that expoenentional amount of pressure… to future proof themselves in a culture of high autonomy and high freedom. Single loop learning leaders don’t like this, but it is the only way that managers will be able to cope with the pressures on them. * AI is super useful for 1st drafts, don’t rely on it for the final copy. * It will always be incumbent on humans to tell human stories. Leaders who understand this and know their stories, these are the leaders and brands that survive. * To be a good communicator, you have to understand what you’re communicating. * We privilege confidence over competence. * The key to breaking the LOUDNESS is authenticity! Being prepared to be vulnerable, being prepared to show everything isn’t perfect, being prepared for feedback. Knowing who you are as a leader is the prototype to breaking the archetype of a noisy, loud leader. * A new leader is someone who knows their values, tells stories, who’s behavior matches their stories and values, and has strong communities. It is not enough to talk about yourself, you need others to confirm your reputation. * Writing is a way to figure out what she thinks. But it takes the writing down of ideas to work out what they think. And it’s a place of flow and joy. * Think about your reputation as vitamins, not aspirin. Your reputation protects your immune system and it’s a way to help you succeed. 🟣 CONNECT WITH CHARLOTTE: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/charlotteeliseotter [https://linkedin.com/in/charlotteeliseotter] Website: www.charlotteotter.com [https://www.charlotteotter.com] Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/charlotter1968 [https://www.instagram.com/charlotter1968] Newsletter: https://otterc.substack.com/ [https://otterc.substack.com/] 🟣 CONNECT WITH NWC: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikawhite/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikawhite/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikacwhite?fref=ts [https://www.facebook.com/nikacwhite?fref=ts] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikacwhite/ [https://www.instagram.com/nikacwhite/] NWC Website: https://nikawhite.com [https://nikawhite.com] Looking for a speaker for your next keynote, workshop, continuing education or panel, Dr. Nika White is actively booking for Q4 and Q1 2026 events now! CLICK HERE TO GET THE CONVERSATION STARTED: https://www.nikawhitespeaks.com/ [https://www.nikawhitespeaks.com/]

Intentional Conversations with Lisa Hurley

Welcome to Intentional Conversations, the podcast where thoughtful leadership meets meaningful impact. This week we’re honored to be joined by Lisa Hurley for a powerful discussion. 🎧 Grab your headphones, hit play, and let the conversation begin! ** Be sure to SUBSCRIBE [https://www.youtube.com/@NikaWhite2015] to our channel because we're all about keeping the great conversations flowing. ** KEY TAKEAWAYS: * I’m an introvert, so I’m not protesting in the streets but I still want to contribute to the movement, so how can I use my talents to help the movement?  * I grew up in Barbados, and my upbringing was soft. I was driven to school, and it was safe, no bullying. The island closed down at noon to 1p, and the entire island would rest. This informs how I show up in my life.  * Soft centered serine life: Life work balance vs. Work life balance. Life has to come first. Include a strong sense of self and a group of people to support you.  * It can’t be work life balance, what if you lose your job. Then what? This can’t be the center. You have to be the center. Your wants, needs, health, happy, must be centered for you and then there’s everything else.  * When I think of balance everything isn’t always 50/50... sometimes it’s 70/30.  * I love to speak with people who are thinkers because they make you think more.  * I love words. I had to delete 30,000 words from my book. I called my dad and sister for advice. They said to eliminate the breathing exercises and meditation prompts, but I couldn’t... that’s my book! I edited another way.  * Anyone that’s stressed, sometimes you need someone to say I understand, here’s something that you can do. We’re not use to people offering help. This is what this book (Space to Exhale) is for. Let me help uplift you.  * I have difficulty prioritizing, I call someone to help me prioritize (do the least and get the most benefit from).   * The work is always going to be there, but the people and moments are gone. You can’t get them back.  * I have a Budda sitting under the tree as inspiration. That is not me... I have some wisdom, but I am not perfect.  🟣 CONNECT WITH LISA: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamlisahurley [https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamlisahurley] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelisahurley [https://www.instagram.com/thelisahurley] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelisahurley [https://www.facebook.com/thelisahurley] Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thelisahurley [https://www.tiktok.com/@thelisahurley] Book: www.spacetoexhalebook.com [http://www.spacetoexhalebook.com/]  🟣 CONNECT WITH DR. WHITE: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nikawhiteconsulting [https://linkedin.com/company/nikawhiteconsulting] Facebook: https://facebook.com/nikawhiteconsulting [https://facebook.com/nikawhiteconsulting] Instagram: https://instagram.com/nikawhiteconsulting [https://instagram.com/nikawhiteconsulting] Website: https://nikawhite.com [https://nikawhite.com]

Intentional Conversations with Gisele Marcus

Welcome to Intentional Conversations, the podcast where thoughtful leadership meets meaningful impact. This week we’re honored to be joined by Gisele Marcus for a powerful discussion on networking! 🎧 Grab your headphones, hit play, and let the conversation begin! ** Be sure to SUBSCRIBE [https://www.youtube.com/@NikaWhite2015] to our channel because we're all about keeping the great conversations flowing. ** KEY TAKEAWAYS: * Make sure you’re visible to people when you’re away. * Always hear, “Keep your head down, do your job and by doing those things you’ll get promotion”, but the networking piece is what was missing. * There is a special art to networking… lots of times people say networking and it’s not really networking. * The term “networking” has gotten a bad rap. It’s really about building a 2-way, authentic relationship. * It has a negative connotation when people are doing it in an inauthentic way. When it feels like you’re pushing it and not doing it in a natural way. * On LinkedIn, 95% of people she actually knows who they are, why she’s connected and how she’s connected to them. * Always know how you know someone. First or 2nd DM on LinkedIn is how am I connected to them. * People love to hear things about themselves, so if there’s someone you want to meet… find out something you have in common with that individual. * Connecting with them on something that is a connection with them. To ask someone to do something for you and you do not have the pleasure of meeting them, that is not authentic. * She never connects to someone with a cold connection. Use the tools that you have to grab someone’s attention. * People want to connect with you because they want to follow you. * When you walk into an in-person event, see groups of people chatting with each other, as an introvert you do not want to jump into the conversation, look for the other people who are by themselves. That person would love to talk to someone. * Introvert don’t appreciate back to back meetings. To get the best outcome, be prepared to plan in a way as if they were introverts. That way there is a comfort to receive the information, you’re not sending them home totally exhausted. * Conversation starters are good for you to have in your hip pocket - “What brought you to this event?” “What high school did you go to?” “What church do you go to?” Give a compliment. “I see you’re here by yourself, are you meeting anyone?” Not too invasive as well. * Don’t let opportunities slip by, use the resources you have and use the spaces you’re in because you never know when it will land you where you want to be. * On the days you’re in the office, make the most of those days. Be politically astute at work, part of that is being visible. * Just walk around, but also have at least one meeting on her calendar, not even with an agenda, but just to get to know someone better. * You can still network virtually! * It is a lot easier to hold onto a job when people know who you are. * What advice for people who don’t like small talk? * They have a decision to make… does it serve you well to just cut the networking out. What are you missing out on? Or commit to it for 10 - 15 minutes or meet 1 - 2 people, then walk away. You don’t have to stay forever. * Don’t allow networking to be the one TON guerrilla in your mind. Move it out of the way so that you can have a better path to fulfilling the goals you have. * Don’t allow the heaviness of networking get in the way of you propelling the goal you have, think about it accelerating where you actually want to be! 🟣 CONNECT WITH GISELE: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giselemarcus [https://www.linkedin.com/in/giselemarcus] Website: https://giselemarcus.com/ [https://giselemarcus.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Gisele_Marcus [https://www.instagram.com/Gisele_Marcus] 🟣 CONNECT WITH NWC: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nikawhiteconsulting [https://linkedin.com/company/nikawhiteconsulting] Facebook: https://facebook.com/nikawhiteconsulting [https://facebook.com/nikawhiteconsulting] Instagram: https://instagram.com/nikawhiteconsulting [https://instagram.com/nikawhiteconsulting] Visit our website to learn more: https://nikawhite.com [https://nikawhite.com]